São Paulo: Cosmopolis of Vibrance and Culture

Skyscrapers and helicopters outline the horizon of this vibrant and boisterous city, but beneath the bustling skyline of Sao Paul lays a cornucopia of culture and a thriving economy. From apartments in the highly desired Conjunto Nacional to modernist homes in the prestigious Jardim Europa and residential area of Alto de Pinheiros, Sao Paulo is Brazil's wealthiest state....

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The beating heart of Brazil and the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere, São Paulo has one of the world's largest (and fastest growing) metropolitan populations and is one of the world’s most dynamic urban areas. An effervescent cultural life, divine food, and booming commerce combine to make an irresistible alchemy.

A global leader in industry and commerce, São Paulo is Brazil's financial core, and is home to the country's most influential newspapers and magazines. The arteries of the city's transportation system radiate in every direction and include bus, metro, train lines, highways that connect to almost all of the country's states, and two major airports that make the city a vital international hub.

A foodie's paradise, São Paulo’s renowned epicurean stars include Alex Atala, owner of D.O.M, which was voted fourth best restaurant in the world by the San Pellegrino ranking, and Helena Rizzo, owner of Mani, who holds the title of best female chef in the world by British magazine, The Restaurant. The city also serves the self-proclaimed best pizza outside of Naples and best sushi outside of Tokyo. The district of Liberdade has the largest Japanese community outside of Japan.

São Paulo's rich and eclectic architecture combines diverse styles from colonial, neoclassical, art nouveau, to art deco. An architectural highlight is the brutalist style which was prominent in the 1950s and is represented by architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha, winner of the 2006 Pritzker Prize. Distinguished architects include Isay Weinfeld, renowned for designing Hotel Fasano, one of the city's most luxurious hotel experiences, and Márcio Kogan, who is celebrated for his exuberant aesthetics. The Campana Brothers, whose award-winning design is featured in The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, are other notable architectural offspring of the city.

The work of Oscar Niemeyer, the father of Brazilian modernism and holder of the 1988 Pritzker Prize, is represented by the Copan Building and the Ibirapuera Marquise, a building housing the Museum of Modern Art (MAM). It is set in Ibirapuera Park, a green sanctuary in the concrete jungle. Among the hundreds of museums in the city, the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP), designed by Lina Bo Bardi and conveniently located in Avenida Paulista, is the crown jewel, housing an impressive collection of European art.

When the subject is urban art, the district of Vila Madalena is the place to go. Cradle of cool and haven of hip, its streets are canvas to works by such well-known artists as such as Os Gemeos and Eduardo Kobra, climaxing at the Beco do Batman, an alley filled with colorful graffiti. An army of cinemas, theatres, live music venues, and festivals, as well as grandiose football stadiums and countless shopping centers, completes the dynamic and colorful cultural experience of São Paulo.